Equality and diversity on the agenda
by Róisín McKane
 
Senior vice president and chair of the committee, Martin Walsh, explained that the committee is adapting to meet the needs of our 80,000 members, and is looking for members to get involved.  
Senior vice president and chair of the committee, Martin Walsh, explained that the committee is adapting to meet the needs of our 80,000 members, and is looking for members to get involved.  

The gender pay gap, domestic violence leave, disability rights, racism, LGBT+ rights, and mental health are just some of the issues up for discussion by Fórsa’s equality and diversity committee.

 

The committee, a subgroup of the union’s national executive and comprised of elected officers, activists and staff, met recently to establish a strategic plan for the year ahead.

 

Senior vice president and chair of the committee, Martin Walsh, explained that the committee is adapting to meet the needs of our 80,000 members, and is looking for members to get involved.  

 

“We’ve a huge body of work to get through and we’re reaching out to you, our members,” he said.

 

“Given the wide range of topics covered by this committee it is prudent to reach out to all Fórsa branches to ascertain the status of the equality and diversity officer on each branch, with a view to establishing a network that could assist the committee in its work,” he explained.

 

“At no point has the need for an equality and diversity officer on every branch been so urgent. We, as the biggest public sector trade union, should be at the forefront of the challenges and battles that present themselves to our members and we must ensure that we are set up to fight for the rights of many across all subjects and issues”.

 

The committee is also planning to meet with each division to seek nominations for committee members and help in the formation its many subgroups.

 

“We’ve had a very positive response form the divisions so far and we’re looking forward to further engagement,” said Martin.

 

On foot of this, the committee expects that an equality and diversity network will be established, and that all members will receive the appropriate training.

 

“Once established, our intention is to provide training to each equality and diversity officer in order to ensure that each member is aware of what the role would or could involve, and ensure they are briefed on topical issues,

 

I am looking forward to hearing from you soon and working together to make our society a better and more equitable and equal place, through the work of our union,” he said.

 

You can contact the equality and diversity committee HERE

 

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